25 February – 4 March 2012

The Crickhowell Walking Festival takes place around the beginning of March each year and lasts nine days. It consists of a number of guided walks of various grades, all led by local experienced guides. There is something for every level of walker, whether you are happy trekking all day across the tops of the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons or would rather keep to paths and the lower slopes.

www.crickhowellfestival.com

3-5 March 2012

Torridon is home to some of the grandest mountains in Scotland – and when winter arrives the area is turned into a truly magnificent location for walking and adventure. There is no better way to experience this wonder than in amongst the hills, and the first ever Torridon Winter Walking Festival will offer something for everyone. From winter skills days to challenging climbs, this truly is a unique way to get out and experience a new dimension in walking.

www.thetorridon.com

20-22 April 2012

✆ 01751 473791 www.pickeringwaw.btck.co.uk 

27 April-6 May 2012

✆ 01271 863001 www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

28 April-6 May 2012

Local guides will lead 55 walks to take in the wildlife paradise of Durlston Country Park, heathland at Studland, limestone cliffs along the coast and the RSPB reserve at Arne. Some walks include a pub lunch in a typical Dorset village, a ride home on the steam train and even a coastal cruise with lunch.

www.walkswanage.com

28 April-7 May 2012

Discover this beautiful part of Northumberland with 29 walks to choose from covering the South Tyne Valley, Hadrian’s Wall country and the North Pennines AONB. Themed walks range from two to 14 miles and include real ale, drumming, singing and alpacas. For those wanting to go the extra mile, there’s a 40-mile walk from Hexham to Haltwhistle over three days.

✆ 01434 322025 www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org

5-7 May 2012

Now in its fourth year, this three-day event offers a variety of free walks aimed at all ages and fitness abilities, with a number of themed routes, including local history, photography and wildlife. All routes are led by qualified walk leaders, many of them local Northamptonshire Ramblers volunteers. If you want a challenge, try your hand at the 34-mile Around Corby circular route, which links the seven parishes via a network of public footpaths.

✆ 01536 463177 www.corbywalkingfestival.org.uk

The few precious days left before Christmas can only mean one thing – the annual Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks is nearly upon us! This year’s celebration aims to get the nation on its feet and out enjoying the country’s urban routes, countryside trails and forest footpaths over the holidays. All walks are free – so as a keen walker, the festival is a great chance to introduce friends and family members to the joys of life on foot – especially those who might have had too much turkey and stuffing!

For the first time ever, the event starts on Christmas Eve; giving you 10 whole days of free, festive, fun-filled walking adventures. Highlights this season include:

Festive Christmas Eve Linear Walk
10am, Sat 24 December 2011
Join the Southampton Ramblers for a 10km/6-mile riverside stroll in festive garb (if you fancy it!) on this Christmas Eve ramble. There’ll be a leisurely tipple in the Master Builder’s pub at Buckler’s Hard, before returning along the river to Beaulieu.

Christmas Pudding Buster
9am, Mon 26 December 2011
Walk off the Christmas excess with the traditional hangover cure of a slightly strenuous 13km/8-mile circular walk in the beautiful Brecon Beacons. It’s the perfect way to get the blood pumping and the alcohol perspired on Boxing Day. Dogs are welcome.

Clive’s Christmas Curry
10.30am, Tue 27 December 2011
A 8km/5-mile walk with Wyre Forest members around Droitwich via the new canal, finishing off with a well deserved curry at the Raj Tandoori. Pre-booking and deposit required.

A New Year Mystery Walk
10am, Sun 1 January 2012
A walk to blow away the excesses of the Yuletide and New Year festivities with the Mansfield & Sherwood Walking Group. Meet at Mansfield railway station.

New Year’s Day in the North Downs countryside
10am, Sun 1 January 2012
Join the Woking Ramblers on a beautiful 14km/9-mile country walk to kick off the first day of 2012. They will be following established paths and lanes through Gatwick village, passing through woodlands, over Crooksbury Common, and across heathlands, before returning along the North Downs Way.

To find a walk near you, check out the Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks website.

Image by Susulyka

Pick up a copy of the programme from various outlets, including the Guernsey Information Centre, or click here to download the full programme (PDF, 480KB).
✆ 01481 723552 www.visitguernsey.com